The Non Communicable Diseases Alliance in Kenya (NCDAK) has emerged out of the need to comprehensively and sustainably address the rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya and in other parts of the world. Many individuals, associations, professional bodies and institutions recognize the need to have joint action to address NCDs. Other than the four main NCDs as espoused by the WHO (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancers and chronic lung diseases), Kenya has added to the list other diseases of importance to include stroke, mental health, accidents and injuries, and musculoskeletal diseases.

Shared Risk Factors

The four main NCDs have common risk factors: inappropriate diet with excessive food additives; lack of physical activity; tobacco use; harmful use of alcohol; and exposure to environmental toxins. Furthermore, there is a close link between some communicable diseases, e.g. tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and NCDs.

Other NCDs however, affect a significant number of the population yet they have completely unrelated or non-shared risk factors for example Rheumatic Heart Disease and Eye disease among others.

NCDAK, therefore, provides a framework within which the different actors can plan, act together and ensure that Kenyans enjoy good quality of life free of NCDs and their adverse effects.

Malteser International (MI), through the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in collaboration with the Nairobi City County Health Services Department and the African Institute for Health and Development (AIHD) plans to implement a project aimed at strengthening the health care system through improved capacity in management of selected NCDs within Nairobi’s informal settlements. The project will use an innovative technology to build the capacity of healthcare workers to adhere to clinical guidelines in the management of hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The system will provide a platform to easily digitize data leading to improved NCD health information in 45 health facilities in four sub-counties of Nairobi County.

The proposed digital platform will mostly be utilized at first or second level health facilities in Nairobi. The development of technologies supporting this project, require tools and components that are user friendly, easy to sustain and possibly be replicated in various other facilities and settings in the future. The developer should interpret and prescribe suitable solutions, considering current industry standards, ease of use and maintenance, as well as sustained future outlook.

This assignment is to design, develop and deploy a customized EMS that focuses on adherence to national hypertension and diabetes guidelines that is easily accessible to health management teams.

This project is supported by Grand Challenges Canada. While NCDs continue to rapidly increase in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV and reproductive health still remain major problems, posing complex health system challenges in Kenya. This model utilizes existing healthcare systems to cost-effectively provide primary care for all these diseases in rural Kenya. Watch Video explanation of the project below

In Uganda, a mother of five has been waiting all day to see a doctor, with no success. The story normally ends here. In delay. Frustration. But bolder than her peers, she takes matters into her own hands, and confronts a doctor in the hallway by ripping open her blouse. Exposed is a breast mostly ulcerated, eaten by cancer. Sadly, what shocks the doctor is her directness, not the late stage of the disease, which is common among the disadvantaged in the country. She received chemotherapy that same day.

Infectious diseases such as malaria and TB will continue to remain highly relevant for many years to come in countries such as Uganda, but there are already international organizations dedicated to combating these ailments. Less attention has been paid to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which have been rising at an unprecedented rate, and are by far the leading causes…

Vision
The vision for NCDAK is “A Kenyan people, living in an environment that is protective against the risks of developing NCDs and that provides quality care for those who develop NCDs”.Mission
To be the lead membership organization in Kenya on matters pertaining to NCD prevention, control, management and rehabilitation.Main Objective
To bring together synergistic relationships of multi-sectoral stakeholders that will facilitate effective promotional and advocacy activities for prevention and control of NCDs and provision of quality NCD care services.